WATERTOWN, New York (WWNY) – The city of Watertown wants to lease the Thompson Park Golf Course, but it needs approval from the state to do so.<\/p>\n
The city hopes to find a qualified operator to manage the course. Because the course is designated as parkland, the city needs \u201cHome Rule\u201d approval from the state Legislature to lease the course.<\/p>\n
Vote delayed on resolution<\/p>\n
A resolution to send the request to Albany was drafted. However, it was not voted on during Monday\u2019s city council meeting.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it was just a decision to have our attorney look at the papers related to the course and things a little bit more closely,\u201d said Robert Kimball, Watertown City Council member.<\/p>\n
7 News learned that the resolution may not have had all of the golf course\u2019s storied past in it, including how Watertown\u2019s purchase of the golf course put a deed restriction on Ives Hill Country Club, also in the city.<\/p>\n
Legislation already underway in Albany<\/p>\n
If and when the resolution is passed, there\u2019s good news for the city council. Assemblyman Scott Gray said work is already underway in Albany on legislation that will allow the city to lease the golf course.<\/p>\n
The legislation would still need state lawmakers\u2019 approval. <\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think the state legislature would block that,\u201d Kimball said.<\/p>\n
A statement from the city manager\u2019s office said, \u201cThe city does not anticipate difficulty obtaining the required state legislative approval.\u201d<\/p>\n
Finding an operator<\/p>\n
From there, it comes down to finding someone to lease the course.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy understanding is that there are two organizations, groups, businesses, that have responded to, or are studying the request for proposals,\u201d Kimball said.<\/p>\n
Council member Doug Osborne said that if a new operator isn\u2019t found this season, he might support the city running the course for one more season.<\/p>\n
Bids are being taken until Oct. 13.<\/p>\n
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